Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Connecticut

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Connecticut? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dog Watch Mystic

4.9

4.9 (1154)

$30 and under

American

Mystic

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO DOG WATCH MYSTIC!

Our Mystic location specializes in authentic, house-smoked BBQ along with other Dog Watch staples, including lobster rolls, fish 'n chips, burgers and more. Our Mystic location is the perfect place for families with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a large kids area, lawn games and gardens. Come enjoy amazing food with great people in a casual environment. Other services available include take out and catering.

When reserving a table, 'standard' tables are indoors, and outdoor tables are specified. Please specify in visit notes if you prefer a high-top table. Reservations are for parties up to 8 people, and tables are reserved for one hour and thirty minutes. We do have outdoor heaters, but it can be chilly. Dogs are permitted on a leash at outdoor tables. *Outdoor reservations are not guaranteed an indoor table if it is raining*

PLEASE NOTE: We have two locations! This reservation is for our Dog Watch Mystic location at 20 Old Stoning

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Great meal as always! Lobster roll had plenty of meat and was extremely tasty! The special of New York strip and shrimp combo was great. We ate at a high top at the bar which is cozy and our bartender/server, Michele P was the best and accommodating! We highly recommend Dog Watch- Mystic!

Breakwater

4.7

4.7 (443)

$30 and under

American

Stonington

About the restaurant

BREAKWATER at Stonington Harbor is a waterfront restaurant located on the Connecticut shoreline in the Stonington Borough. BREAKWATER features seafood & more, specialty cocktails, stunning sunsets & views of Stonington Harbor & Fishers Island Sound. We offer gorgeous all season sunsets & a roomy bar to keep you warm in the winter.

Top review

Karen

Dined 4 days ago

Beautiful restaurant inside and out…the views are stunning and the indoor decor charming. Even the bar has beautiful views! Their menu has lots of wonderful choices…somehow I always veer toward the fish tacos…always wonderful! It is one our favorite places in the area and (shhh) they have parking!!! In the summer good idea to make a reservation for sure! And the staff are all fantastic!!!

Bacari Social

4.7

4.7 (136)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Westbrook

About the restaurant

Bacari Social, located in Westbrook Safe Harbor Pilot's Point Marina is a Seasonal waterside restaurant specializing in fresh seafood, unique small plates, and plentiful sandwiches and entrees! Our restaurant offers ample waterside views inside and outside while you enjoy our creative cocktails, extensive wine list, and fresh menu options.

Top review

JanineVIP

Dined 1 day ago

It’s a lovely spot to eat outside, staff was friendly and attentive. I loved the salmon Sandy.

Don Memo

4.6

4.6 (280)

$30 and under

Mexican

Westport

About the restaurant

Led by Chef Zach Hinman and located in the original town hall in the heart of downtown Westport, Don Memo is a fun, creative take on Mexican fare inspired by travels to Oxacana, Mexico City and Puebla. Clean, vibrant food and drink that represent the true spirit of Mexico.

Top review

RaquelVIP

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Best meal ever. Tuna tostado was insane! New fig dish delicious Skinny spicy margarita hit the spot!

Harvest Wine Bar and Restaurant - New Haven

4.5

4.5 (314)

$31 to $50

American

New Haven

About the restaurant

Delight in the taste of customary American cuisine with a twist at Harvest Wine Bar. Harvest's menu features dishes, such as grilled calamari and lobster macaroni and cheese. Some of its main entrées range between seared sea scallops, as well as filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts with red wine demi-glace. At Harvest, guests can also enjoy different drinks for every course of the meal. It is also a great place for date night.

$25 lunch 2 course pre fixe
Live Jazz every Thursday 7-9PM
Weekend Brunch Sat & Sun 11:30-3PM
Wine Specials Sunday & Wednesday

Top review

AnnieVIP

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Wonderful to sit outside and listen to jazz and eat delicious food while still being able to have a great conversation with the music blending. Terrific cocktails!

Discover more

Experience

Happy Hour 3:30PM - 6PM

Experience

Weekend Brunch

Experience

Live Jazz Every Thursday

Camacho Garage

4.5

4.5 (1351)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

New Haven

About the restaurant

Camacho Garage brings acclaimed Executive Chef/co-owner Arturo Franco-Camacho's exciting and unique tastes of Mexican street food to the lively Westville neighborhood. Enjoy yourself in a sophisticated, fun environment with a vintage garage feel. Fully opening oversized garage doors yield an abundance of light, as well as provide a seamless experience from the indoor dining space to the outdoor patio dining featuring a fireplace and outdoor shipping container bar. The all-day food menu features an assortment of small plates of both traditional and Mexican inspired recipes made with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Think, Mexican street food with a strong focus on tacos and ceviche, as well as tostadas, salads, raw bar, and made-to-order guacamole. The bar menu highlights an extensive and unique local beer selection, specialty cocktails, tequila, mezcal, and other Mexican inspired beverages.

Top review

Kathi

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

This was our second visit in a weeks time. We really enjoyed the menu, drinks, and atmosphere. Our waiter was new but identified himself as such. He was great. Our son was here from Philly, the food Mecca of the east , and he gave it high praise. We will return for sure

Boqueria West Hartford

4.3

4.3 (67)

$30 and under

Spanish

West Hartford

About the restaurant

Located at Blue Back Square in the charming center of West Hartford, Boqueria brings the convivial spirit of Barcelona to New England. Join us for busting brunches and Happy Hours. Grab a seat for dinner in the beautiful contemporary dining room, a stool at the bar, or a table under the stars on our seasonal outdoor patio.

Share classic Spanish tapas like garlic shrimp, pan con tomate, jamón ibérico, and patatas bravas—paired with signature paellas, sangrías, handcrafted cocktails, and Spanish wines.

Located near the Delamar Hotel, Town Hall Auditorium, and Farmington Avenue.

Please note that some large party reservations may require a set menu. If that is the case, a host will reach out to confirm with all the details.

Top review

Amelia

Dined on May 24, 2025

Wonderful food and good service. The tapas are amazing and provide a good variety. The cocktails are always a standout to me as well. The brunch is also amazing and a good deal with a group.

Scena Wine Bar

4.2

4.2 (97)

$31 to $50

Italian

Darien

About the restaurant

Scena Wine Bar offers up Mediterranean fare in the downtown area of Darien. The family-owned restaurant opened in 2010 and has been pleasing customers in the area ever since. Scena Wine Bar has menus for bunch, lunch and dinner. Some of the popular options on the menu include the steamed clams, spicy salmon tartare, cider steamed mussels, ricotta gnocchi, fettuccini carbonara and grilled salmon corn succotash.

Scena Wine Bar also has a dessert menu including a cookie plate, tiramisu, apple pie and Nutella filled crepes. The restaurant has a wine menu with a number of different vintages of wine available.

Top review

AliVIP

Dined on May 30, 2025

Loved it. We were there for birthday celebrations and they brought us a glass of processo for everyone at the table to toast. It was so kind and special.

Boca Oyster Bar

4.2

4.2 (1122)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Bridgeport

About the restaurant

Located at Steelpointe Harbor, a new public realm consisting of a network of streets, open spaces, water views and harbor side strolling, Boca Mediterranean Oyster Bar will be your go-to destination for stunning water views and New England fare.

Top review

KevinVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always an excellent meal and service. Love being on the water overlooking the marina.

Salt + Lime

3.8

3.8 (144)

$30 and under

Mexican

West Hartford

About the restaurant

Located on Park Road, Salt + Lime Mexican Cantina aims to bring the best Mexicancomfort food and a wonderful bar atmosphere. We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Dyanne

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

Great experience! Great service and good. Thank you.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Connecticut

Explore more Diners' Choice lists